Paris victim wants racist Chelsea fans locked up

French man was pushed off a Paris train by Chelsea fans ahead of the club's match against PSG.

19 Feb 2015 13:37 GMT

The victim has been identified only as Souleymane S [Guardian News & Media Ltd]

A black man who was blocked from boarding a Paris metro train by Chelsea football fans chanting racist slogans wants the group to be 'found, punished and locked up'.

In an interview with Le Parisien newspaper, the man - identified only as Souleymane S - said he had lost his phone in the scuffle in the metro and didn't learn until Wednesday evening that the altercation was filmed.

These people, these English fans, they have to be found, punished and locked up

Souleymane S

Because he doesn't speak English, he said he didn't fully grasp what the rowdy group was saying - they chanted "we're racist, we're racist, and that's the way we like it'' - but their meaning was clear.

"They were saying things to me in English and I didn't really understand the meaning of the words. I understood that it had to do with Chelsea fans and made the link with the PSG match that was happening that night.

"I also clearly understood that they were hassling me because of the color of my skin,'' he said.

In a video posted by the Guardian newspaper, the man pushes back and says in French 'Can I get on or what?' before again being shoved away.

"Not a single person came to my defense but, in any event, what could they have done? I went home without talking about this to anybody, neither my wife nor my children. ... What would I say to my children? That daddy got shoved in the metro because he is black?''

He said he hoped to bring a formal complaint Thursday if he can carve out time from work.

"These people, these English fans, they have to be found, punished and locked up,'' he said.